Longtime SSP Police chief retires, search is on for his successor
Mary Diedrick Hansen
Staff Writer
South St. Paul Police Chief Mike Messerich calls it the "South St. Paul Chip." He has it. It’s the loyalty and pride he feels in being part of the South St. Paul police force. After 31 years in law enforcement spent solely in South St. Paul, he has decided to retire. His notice was received by the City Council in March and his successor is expected to be in place by mid-May.
"It’s just the right time," said Messerich, 60, about his retirement. "It’s time to give an opportunity for others to advance. I was born in West St. Paul. I fell in love with a South St. Paul gal (his wife Linda), and then with the city, and before you know it half-a-lifetime has gone by."
He began his career in 1975 as a volunteer in the reserves. In 1977 he joined the force as a police officer. Over the years he advanced through the ranks and became police chief in 1999.
With 31 years in law enforcement, he has witnessed amazing changes that have enhanced the capabilities of law enforcement officers to do their jobs.
"The technological revolution is completely changing the way things are done. It has created tools that we never dreamed of," said Messerich. The most significant changes have occurred in the years since he took over as chief in 1999.
"The Achilles heel in law enforcement has always been communication. New technology allows law enforcement officers to talk across channels and across jurisdictions. There is much more sharing of information taking place," he said.
Now, within seconds, officers can call up an astonishing amount of information on their squad car computers, including pictures and restraining order documents.
Along with the positives that technology brings are the negatives. Messerich said that today’s police deal with new challenges and different types of crime created with advances in technology. For example, identity theft plays a much larger role, with criminal activity crossing state lines and even international lines. When not hot on the trail of a computer-related crime, officers are still dealing with crimes against people and property, which Messerich said will never be eliminated.
Despite the amount of criminal activity, Messerich said the majority of time spent by officers is on non-criminal social service and public health activity.
"Today’s officers need to be a ‘renaissance person’ of all trades as never before," he said. "Remarkable young men and women are going into law enforcement. They are better educated, have higher personal standards, and are smarter and better prepared than ever before. There is no text book. You have to be able to think on your feet and crisis-manage every situation."
Messerich said he is most proud of the volunteer chaplain program he started in the department five years ago. A number of chaplains were recruited to serve the community by helping deliver death notifications and following up with crisis intervention. They also serve as a support system for police officers, who sometimes feel more comfortable speaking with chaplains than their colleagues.
Getting a school resource officer in place at South St. Paul High School has also been an important accomplishment, he said. In 1983, Messerich was the first officer in that position and recalls jaws dropping and stares as he walked through the school. Today it’s just a different way of doing business and has become part of the cultural change in law enforcement and education.
Being on board during the construction of the state-of-the-art department in City Hall has also been gratifying for him.
He will miss being part of an organization and making decisions, but won’t miss "knowing people’s secrets," he said. He is looking forward to a relaxing summer and future volunteer opportunities. |
